Father Damien, born in Tremelo, Belgium in 1840, joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and volunteered for the mission to the Sandwich Islands (Kingdom of Hawaii).

In 1873, he went to the settlement colony at Kalaupapa, Molokai to minister to the needs of those who had been placed under a government-sanctioned medical quarantine on the island. Those sent to the island had contracted Hansen's disease (also known as leprosy).

Damien's first course of action was to build a church and establish the Parish of Saint Philomena. His role was not limited to being a priest: he dressed ulcers, built homes and beds, built coffins and dug graves.

His arrival is seen by some as a turning point for the community. Under Damien's leadership, basic laws were enforced, shacks became painted houses, working farms were organized and schools were erected.

In 1884, he contracted Hansen's disease himself, and died on April 15, 1889 at the age of 49. The testimony of the life he lived among the lepers of Molokai led to an intensive study of Hansen's disease, eventually leading to a cure.